'No Advocate Deserves To Be Threatened': Young AP Bar Members Oppose High Court Advocates' Association Stand

Many young members of the Andhra Pradesh Bar have objected to the stand of High Court Advocates' Association, calling it truce over a Judge threatening a junior advocate with police custody.

In a letter addressed to the Association's President, the young lawyers expressed “deep disappointment” over the Association's executive committee resolution claiming that the issue had been “amicably resolved”.

Over 200 young lawyers signed the letter. They said the resolution does not reflect the views of junior members of the Bar.

The controversy relates to a video clip showing Justice Tarlada Rajasekhar Rao threatening a junior counsel with judicial custody, after he placed a file loudly before the court.

The Advocates Association had earlier resolved not to escalate the matter further, stating that the issue had been settled amicably.

However, the young lawyers said the resolution failed to consider whether the reaction of the Bench was proportionate to the conduct attributed to the advocate.

“At the outset, we would like to point out that no advocate deserves to be threatened with judicial custody for placing the file down loudly, let alone a fresh member of the Bar,” the letter stated.

"Assuming that the advocate gravely erred in his actions of putting the file loudly, one must question themselves as to where the line is drawn to exercise unbridled power?” it added.

Questioning the Association's description of the matter as having been amicably settled, the lawyers wrote: “We fail to fathom what could have been an amicable settlement.”

The letter further referred to allegations that a newly elected member of the Andhra Pradesh Bar Council had suggested that the young advocate should kneel before the judge and be slapped if necessary. The signatories sought an enquiry into the alleged remarks, stating that such a suggestion reflected that the concerned member was not fit to represent the interests of the Bar Council.

“We are painfully aware that the present letter is not an outcome of the isolated incident that occurred yesterday, but the systematic practice prevalent in Courts that degrade and humiliate counsels,” the letter said.

The letter also stated that the advocate had repeatedly apologised before the court and had pleaded for mercy with folded hands.

According to the signatories, if the judge believed the conduct amounted to indiscipline, there were other legally permissible courses available, including educating the advocate on courtroom etiquette, initiating contempt proceedings or referring the issue to the Bar Council.

The lawyers emphasised that they are not “fighting judiciary as a whole” but were seeking stronger and more respectful Bar-Bench relations, particularly for young advocates entering the profession.

They urged the Association to withdraw its earlier resolution, unequivocally condemn the incident, convene a general body meeting to discuss issues faced by junior advocates, and place those concerns before the Chief Justice and other judges.